A.J. Jackson had 22 points and 11 rebounds -- and made a huge 3-point shot with 2:21 left -- to help Robert Morris win at Sacred Heart, 82-69, last night and clinch the Northeast Conference regular-season championship.

With their 12th consecutive victory, the Colonials (24-6, 15-2) secured the top seed in the NEC tournament, which begins Thursday, and at least a bid to the National Invitation Tournament.

"I wish our fans could be in the locker room," first-year coach Mike Rice said moments after the game. "[Seniors] Tony Lee and A.J. Jackson hugging each other. There was a lot of emotion in there. I'm at a loss for words -- for once in my life."

The Colonials won their first NEC regular-season title since 1992 -- the most recent season in which they advanced to the NCAA tournament.

Robert Morris led, 59-42, with 14:52 left, but Chauncey Hardy got the Pioneers within five points, 71-66, with a 3-pointer with 2:53 remaining. However, Jackson hit a 3-pointer from the top of the key 32 seconds later after a kick-out pass from Lee.

"Huge," Rice said of Jackson's basket. "We got nervous and a little tentative. That [basket] was a really nice thing to see."

The Colonials went 6 for 6 at the free-throw line thereafter to raise their road record in the NEC to 8-0.

Jeremy Chappell, the Colonials' leading scorer on the season who scored only 25 points in the previous three games, had 19 points and 10 rebounds.

The Colonials outrebounded the Pioneers, 42-29, and scored 16 points off second-chance baskets.

Hardy led Sacred Heart (16-12, 13-4) with 17 points, Corey Hassan finished with 13 and Ryan Litke and Drew Shubik each finished with 11.

Robert Morris finishes the regular season tomorrow at Long Island in a 2 p.m. game.